Serving Bread

For Californians, the elections are fast approaching. For those of you who are registered with a party, your vote will make a more significant difference in electing a candidate than previous primaries, since California moved the date up four months. For those of us who are not affiliated with any party, we get to participate in the electoral process by voting on state measures.

During the November 2007 election cycle, I posted my summary of each of the ballot measures, trying to keep myself mostly neutral on the issues. This time around, I am chucking neutrality and telling you how I plan on voting.

First, let’s talk let me vent about our state’s financial health.

Last week, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger gave his annual State of the State address, where he outlined his commitment to reduce our budget deficit. With all due respect to our governor and those in the state who are committed to balance our budget, the state of California is incapable of balancing the budget. The legislators in Sacramento are incompetent when it comes to dealing with money. We have a budget crisis, where we are facing draconian cuts in all areas of government services that will affect all of us. For example, we are looking at the closure of several state parks and the early release of prisoners in the name of “balancing the budget.”

Let me tell you what irritates me about our budget. California legislators moved the primary from June to February so that California has a more prominent voice in the primary cycle. I don’t have a problem with that, but what I do have a problem with is why they kept the June election in the books? Why not move the entire election cycle to February?

That’s right, this year, the voters of California have the privilege of going to the polls three times. In February, June and November.

I’m not sure what the cost of hosting an extra election is on the state, but in three Northern California counties alone, it’s costing them over $6 million. Any thoughts on what we can do with an extra $6 million?

In addition to the unnecessary extra election, I am also irritated by the number of “official” mailings I have received for this election alone. I have the “California Presidential Primary Election Official Voter Information Guide”, the “Los Angeles Voter Information Pamphlet” and the “Sample Ballot.” How much money and trees must be spent to communicate the same thing?

Next time, I’ll tackle the propositions!

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